PresidentDonald Trump's posted a series of anti-immigration messages on social media on Thanksgiving, and one of them contained a slur.
"A very Happy Thanksgiving salutation to all of our Great American Citizens and Patriots who have been so nice in allowing our Country to be divided, disrupted, carved up, murdered, beaten, mugged, and laughed at, along with certain other foolish countries throughout the World, for being 'Politically Correct,' and just plain STUPID, when it comes to Immigration," one ofTrump's Nov. 27 Truth Socialposts read.
It later mentioned Minnesota and called the governor the "r-word." The term was once used medically to describe people with mental disabilities, but over time, it was used as a bullying phrase. In recent decades, advocates have campaigned to end the use of the word, and it was becoming seemingly unacceptable to use.
Butover the last year orso, it's made a resurgence, appearing unapologetically in places likeJoe Rogan's podcast,Elon Musk's social media posts, and now, the president's statements. Here is what to know:
More:Before 'quiet piggy,' Trump called Miss Universe winner 'Miss Piggy.'
ReadDonald Trump's Thanksgiving message, posted to Truth Social
Trump used a slur about people with cognitive disabilities. What did it say?
Trump used the r-word,considered a slur, to describe Minnesota Gov.Tim Walz,a Democrat who ran against Vice PresidentJD Vancein the 2024 election. While it was introduced as a medical term in 1961, it evolved over the following decades to be an insult used to demean people with and without disabilities.
"Using the R-word is the same as using any slur against a minority group," theSpecial Olympics websitereads. "Eliminating this word is a step toward respect for all."
In 2010, former President Barack Obama signed "Rosa's Law," which replaced "mental retardation" references to "intellectual disability" within existing federal laws.
"What you call people is how you treat them. If we change the words, maybe it will be the start of a new attitude towards people with disabilities," Obama quoted the brother of Rosa, whom the bill was named after, as saying while speaking aboutRosa's Law at a bill signing.
Walz's office did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment, but he shared ascreenshot of Trump's post on Xwith the caption "release the MRI results."
Trump had an MRIduring his Oct. 10 visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, but described it as "perfect."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her onX (Twitter),BlueskyandTikTok.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Donald Trump uses slur. See Trump's Thanksgiving posts and messages.